The Master Gardener

Posted on February 21, 2023 by tricialathrop

Today is the first anniversary of the death of my dad. I bought a candle that smells of lilac blossoms, Dad had a huge bush that filled the air around it with the pleasant aroma. I miss him.

I wrote a Bible study called the Master Gardener. I used Dad as the example of the love and care that God gives to each of us in His garden of life.

People came from miles around to see my dad’s flowers.  He had a green thumb; any plant he touched thrived. He spent hours working the soil, planting seeds and transplanting growing plants to the perfect location. He pruned the stems and removed the dead leaves and branches.  It was a labor of love for him.  His garden bloomed from spring through fall.

As his children, we did not see the yard in quite the same way.  His flowers got in our way.  We wanted to run and play, and I found myself entangled in the rose bushes more than once.  We used the yard as our kickball field.  The maple tree was first base, the lilac bush, second, tiger lilies, third, and home plate was by the rose bush.  We lost a few balls to the thorns, but Dad lost many flowers to our games. He had a few years reprieve after we were grown, but when the grandkids came along, they played kickball in the yard.

As an adult I enjoyed walking with him in his garden.  He took great pride in showing off the fruits of his labors.  He told the story of each planting, explaining its placement and what he did to help it grow.  He not only rejoiced in the final result, a tasty fruit or a beautiful blossom, but he also enjoyed the process, the planting, the tending and the harvesting.

Like my dad, God takes great delight in His garden.  He desires that all who come near us see the work that He has done in us.  He wants to have bragging rights for our good fruit and wants us to bear lots of it.  Sometimes we have to be cut back, fertilized, or moved…but He always has the best in mind for us.  He helps us grow; he sends rain, places us in the sun or shade as needed, and yes, even the smelly fertilizer has its place for our good.

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Jesus, God’s Gift to Us

Posted on December 26, 2022 by tricialathrop

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death of a cross. Philippians 2:5-8

The birth of my first child, Jennifer, gave me the opportunity to view the coming of Jesus in a new light. As I carefully held her in my arms, I thought of the vulnerability of the baby Jesus. He depended on Mary and Joseph for everything. He could not feed himself, defend himself or get anywhere on his own. He lived as all babies live, eating, sleeping and needing frequent diaper changes…or whatever they used in the first century. All his needs, safety and well-being rested in the hands of human beings, who really messed things up in the Garden of Eden.

It’s hard to comprehend that Jesus, who existed in the beginning with God, gave up all his deity for a time on earth. He gave up being omnipresent, he could only be in one place at a time. He gave up his omnipotence, he had no control over what happened to him as a baby. He gave up omniscience, he knew nothing at birth, except the sound of his mother’s voice. He went from a timeless reality to our 24 hour day existence. He chose to do this for us for the joy set before him.. But when he was lying in the stable in Bethlehem, he didn’t know yet what lay before him.

I used to think of Jesus as a baby at Christmas, and then as a man the rest of the year. I forget that he grew up as a human child–exposed to a total human existence, for us.

That day in the stable, when his life on earth began, he looked and acted like any other child. No halo surrounded his head. No birthmarks or other indicators of his deity. He had to learn like every other human being. He learned to communicate, to feed himself, to crawl, to walk, to run…to obey.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

With the assurance that Jesus came to earth as a human being, we know that he understands what we are going through.

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Tradition

Posted on December 25, 2022 by tricialathrop

Tradition! One morning we awoke to the noise of Robert waking the girls to go downstairs and look in the stockings. Half an hour later, Robert and the girls came to wake us so that we could all come down and open gifts.

Jenn and Robert fixed breakfast while Aimee slept on the couch and Norm read the comic “Dilbert.” Mom called to wish us a Merry Christmas. Later that morning we attended church, a reminder that He is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

The shepherds gave witness to Jesus Christ the Messiah who makes reconciliation between God and man possible. His birth, death and resurrection makes it possible for us to draw near to God without fear. But Jesus is much more than a ticket to heaven.

The Magi came to honor Jesus Christ as the King of all kings. He is the exalted One. He created all things and He holds all things together. He is worthy to be praised and to receive all glory, honor and power.

At the age of ten, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I knelt at the altar in Red Lion Methodist Church and prayed for Jesus to forgive my sins. That simple act changed my life forever. Several years passed before Jesus became the Lord of my life. Then I began to seek His will before making choices, instead of asking for forgiveness once the deed was done. I began to look for ways to honor Him in words and actions.

As you celebrate this day, take time to praise the One who makes the celebration possible.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.

In love, He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemptions of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:3-14

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Jesus ___________

Posted on December 24, 2022 by tricialathrop

“Three Wee Kings”, a musical fantasy by Fred Boch is one of my favorite Christmas pageants. Three kings (wee kings, it’s a children’s pageant) search for THE KING of all kings. It addresses various names of Christ. The characters, an arrogant shepherd, a brave lion, and a shining star each thinks he/she could be the Messiah. Only the lambs understand that this Lamb of God came to take their place as the perfect sacrifice.

What would you put in the above blank? Who is Jesus to you?

My concept of Jesus changes with my need or experience. I have found Him to be much more than my ticket to heaven. Over the years, He has been my strength, my confidant, my refuge, my friend, my hope…my Lord.

Here are some of my favorite names/titles for Jesus:

Isaiah 9:6 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Jeremiah 23:6 The Lord, Our Righteousness

Matthew 16:16 The Son of the Living God

John 1:1 The Word made flesh

John 1:29 The Lamb of God

John 6:35 The Bread of Life

John 8:12 The Light of the World

John 10:11-17 The Good Shepherd

John 11:25-26 The Resurrection and the Life

John 14:6 The Way, the Truth, the Life

1 Corinthians 5:7 Our Passover Lamb

Colossians 1:15 The Image of the Invisible God

1 Timothy 1:1 Christ Jesus our Hope

Hebrews 12:24 Mediator of a new covenant

1 Peter 2:6 Chosen and precious Cornerstone

1 John 4:14 The Savior of the world

Revelation 1:8 Alpha and Omega, Who is, Who was, Who is to come

Revelation 17:14 Lord of lords, King of kings

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities: all things were created by Him and for Him.

He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything He may have the supremacy.

For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20

I pray that your concept of Jesus will deepen and broaden this Christmas season.

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Heavenly Visitors

Posted on December 23, 2022 by tricialathrop

Imagine a shepherd in a field, looking forward to a quiet peaceful night with the sheep. The sheep finally settle down and the shepherd yawns, stretching his arms and legs. He carries on a low conversation with the other shepherds resting for the night. Suddenly an angel appears. At first he thinks it’s a dream but with the realization that this extremely shiny being is real, he drops to the ground, trembling with fear.

Even though the shepherd is told not to be afraid, he still trembles as the angel delivers the message. It’s a simple message: the Messiah is born in Bethlehem and can be found in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.

And then, a multitude of heavenly hosts join the lone angel. We usually think the host as all angels, but the host includes the seraphim who each have 6 wigs (Isaiah 6:2), the living creatures who have 4 faces and 4 wings, and sparkly like burnished brass (Ezekiel 1:4-14), and beasts with 6 wings and full of eyes (Revelation 4:8), and the cherubim (Ezekiel 10:5). Wow, if they weren’t afraid before, they would be when they saw the heavenly host.

The heavenly host proclaimed the greatness of God, speaking of His glory, glory beyond our comprehension. They spoke of peace to the earth, available through Jesus Christ who opened the way to reconciliation with God. They spoke of God’s desire to do good to men.

God chose to send this message to a group of humble men, just doing their job. It lets me know that I don’t have to be doing anything special to hear from God. No hoops to jump through, just faithfully doing what I have been called to do, and when I least expect it, overwhelmed by the goodness of an awesome God.

And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shown round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.” Luke 2:8-14

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My Legacy

Posted on December 22, 2022 by tricialathrop

As Christmas approaches, I think of Christmas past. The memories are not so much the events, but the people who impacted my life. With their life examples or encouraging words, each played a part in who I am today. I look forward to saying thank you when I meet them again in Heaven.

Thelma sang “O Holy Night” every Christmas. A petite grandmother, her beautiful soprano voice combined with her love of god drew us into an attitude of worship, calling us to fall on our knees before the Savior. I cannot sing the song today without seeing her in from of Red Lion Methodist church, honoring God with her voice.

Al greeted us every Sunday morning, opening the church doors with a warm, enchanting smile. On Christmas he dressed up as Santa and gave each child a bag of candy as we left. He stands out as a faithful man, consistent in serving the Lord by making people feel welcomed.

When we had a service when we could choose the hymns, we could count on Jip to call out, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. He often cried as he shared how much the love of Jesus Christ meant to him. Everyone was his friend, and he made each of us feel special and important.

Our organist, Dolores, invited the teens at our church to form a singing group called “The Impossibles”, not because we were impossible…though that was a running joke…but because of the power of God to do impossible things in our lives. She, along with my mom, encouraged me to spend time in the Old Testament searching for the wealth of riches in the Word of God.

Each of these people, and many more, lived their lives serving God as best they could. And each has left an imprint on my own walk with God. They all gave me a rich heritage in the Lord.

It makes me consider, what kind of legacy am I leaving for those who are watching me today?

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints, the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all truth. Colossians 1:3-6.

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A Christmas Carol

Posted on December 21, 2022 by tricialathrop

Norm and I try to attend a live version of the “Christmas Carol” each year. In New York we saw it at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady and here in Tennessee, we go to the Clarence Brown Theater in Knoxville. Post Covid, we enjoyed being able to see it in person this year.

I love to watch “A Christmas Carol” in all its variations. Many men and women have given their acting tribute to how they envision Scrooge. Each director brings his/her own emphasis. Some follow Dicken’s original story carefully, others take a bit of liberty with their interpretation. But each one inspires me to consider my own life and how I relate to others.

Some of the things I consider:

  • A focus on money or possessions corrupts our lives and relationships. God is the only one worthy of our undivided attention.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:8-10

  • Taking care of the poor is a number one priority. God allows us to share in His concern for the poor by giving us many opportunities to give, time and money.

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Deuteronomy 15:7-8

  • Even the person you consider beyond hope, is not.

Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:4-10

Remember the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us every one.” Let’s look for ways to extend God’s blessing to others.

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Traditional Nativity Part 2

Posted on December 20, 2022 by tricialathrop

Yesterday we looked at Jesus as the Lamb of God, his primary purpose in coming to earth to pave the way for us to have access to God. Fast-forward two years. Wise men from the east enter Jerusalem and begin to inquire, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Traditionally, we envision three kings, riding on their three camels, each carrying a small box. We’ve even given them names; Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior. But in reality, we don’t know how many magi/kings traveled to see Jesus. We don’t know how many accompanied them on their journey. We know that at least two came, and brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Consider how royalty travels today, with a whole entourage of servants, workers, and family. I imagine the scene in Disney’s “Aladdin” where the prince came with a multitude of people accompanying him as well as piles of gifts.

These wise men came to honor a King, they would have brought the best they had, and probably lots of it. Three men with little boxes would not have upset Herod or the town of Jerusalem, but it says that Jerusalem was troubled by their appearance (Matthew 2:3).

You may think that the Magi made a mistake in going to Jerusalem first. They went to the palace of the king. Where else would one find a newborn king?

Sometimes we follow God’s direction and end up in what looks like the wrong place. It’s not always a mistake. It could be to find direction for your next step. It could be to encourage or influence another person in their walk.

In Jerusalem, the Magi learned that the King was to be born in Bethlehem, the whole city of Jerusalem heard the news that the prophesied King had been born. They also heard that one prophecy about him was fulfilled, he was born in Bethlehem.

The kings wasted no time heading to Bethlehem as soon as they knew of the clarifying prophecy. And the star reappeared, guiding them to the exact location.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, (not the stable), they saw the young child (not the infant) with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9-11

They did not go to the stable to meet the Lamb of God, they went to the house to honor the King.

Jesus came first and foremost as our Savior, we bring him our worst; our sins, our fears, our pain, our shame. He doesn’t want us to get our act together first and then come to him. He wants us to come as we are with all our garbage and let him take care of the worst we have to offer.

But we also come to him as our King. And as our King, we bring him our very best. we bring our gold: our gifts, talents and abilities. We bring our frankincense; our worship, praise and adoration. We bring our myrrh: our obedience and self-denial.

The day will come when all the world will see him as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. On that day, every knee will bow before him and give him the honor due to Him.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:8–11.

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Traditional Nativity Scene

Posted on December 19, 2022 by tricialathrop

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made know abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. Luke 2:8-17.

The traditional nativity scene: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus lying in a manger, a cow, a donkey, some sheep, a shepherd or two, three kings with gifts and camels. Add a star or an angel on top of the stable and we have the Christmas story all wrapped up in a neat little package…or is it?

The shepherds received a visit from the angels and left immediately to find the baby in a manger. They went in search of a Savior, Christ the Lord, the long awaited Messiah.

Jesus was born in a stable, not because there was no room at the inn or because of their lack of money…though those circumstances paved the way for him to be born in a stable. Jesus came as the Lamb of God and where else would a lamb be born, but among the animals.

Who were the first to inspect a lamb and make sure it made a sufficient sacrifice? The shepherds, God leaves nothing to chance. The angels appeared to the shepherds who were then the first to be told about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. They came. They saw him and then went all over the countryside telling everyone what they had heard and seen.

No kings appeared at the stable. No star stood over the young family staying there. Jesus came first and foremost as the sacrificial lamb, to give his life for the sins of all people.

On that first night, the Lord allowed the shepherds to be witnesses, and they told everyone they met about this Savior who had come. I wonder how many who heard their story went to also find the baby.

What makes Jesus our Savior? He became our substitute sacrifice on the cross, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He came to make reconciliation between God and man, bringing us the peace and goodwill foretold by the angels.

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The Wonder of Christmas

Posted on December 17, 2022 by tricialathrop

I awoke early Christmas morning, being careful not to waken my sisters and went to the living room. I checked out the presents that lay scattered beneath the tree, touched each of the ornaments and found a clump of tinsel that I slowly spread out.

The day before, we had gone with Dad to select the tree, a live one that he could plant in the yard after Christmas. Mom found a large bucket and filled it with water. My brother and Dad maneuvered the tree into the house and put it into the bucket. We all helped to stretch the lights, replacing the burnt out bulbs.

Jeemes and Dad strung the lights while my sisters and I waited patiently…well, not so patiently. Finally Mom brought out the ornaments which included four beautiful, fragile white and gold eight inch balls that Mom bought for her first Christmas with Dad. The original set included twelve ornaments but over the years our young hands broke them one by one.

Then came the tinsel. I hated hanging tinsel, one boring strand at a time, it took forever. I accelerated the hanging of tinsel to two strands at a time, then three and finally just threw clumps at the tree…always towards the back so Mom wouldn’t see.

Chilled, I heard the furnace come on and went to sit on the air vent. I enjoyed the lights of the tree, their multi-colored glow reflecting throughout the dark room. The picture Mom had painted on the window caught some of the early morning light, a nativity scene where Jesus slept on the hay surrounded by several sheep, a donkey and a cow.

The wonder of Christmas permeated my spirit, warming my insides just as the furnace warmed my hands and feet. I reveled in the time of peace, before everyone awoke and chaos erupted.

I miss that time of calm early Christmas morning. When did I get so busy doing Christmas that I lost the wonder?

When my kids were home, I stayed up late getting ready for Christmas morning. I got out of the habit of resting in the quiet of the morning.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Christmas season; the carols, the decorations the friends, the baking, and the shopping…but sometimes I get so trapped in the wrapping that I forget the awe of the Gift.

O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee: my soul thirsts for thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee, thus will I bless thee while I live:

I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Psalm 63:1-6 KJV

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